Heat Pump Water Heater vs. Gas: Which is Better?
Have you ever been in the middle of a nice warm shower and suddenly you’re struck with cold water? Or maybe struck with the realization that your appliances aren’t energy efficient? Either way, you’re likely an excellent candidate for a heat pump water heater. Today we’ll compare its benefits over a traditional gas water heater in terms of environmental impact, performance and reliability, and more.
What Is a Heat Pump Water Heater?
As an innovative and energy efficient option for water heaters, heat pump technology works simply; heat is extracted from the ambient air in your home and transferred into your water tank. This is done using a fan and refrigerator coils, similarly to the fridge in your kitchen, just in the opposite way. Hot air is drawn over the coils through the fan and heats the refrigerant that is in them. A compressor heats that refrigerant further and pushes it through a coil wrapped around the water tank, raising it to your desired temperature.
How Gas Water Heaters Work Differently
Gas heaters work even more simply, but not without negative side effects which you’ll learn more about later. Natural gas or propane is ignited by a burner at the bottom of the water tank, not too differently than boiling water on your stove. The hot water then rises to the top and is expelled to the faucets in your home, and new cold water flows into the bottom for the process to start again.
Comparing Environmental Impact
This is an easy one. So long as you have worked with a home electrification professional to convert your property to clean energy, you can assume your heat pump water heater (HPWH) has little to no impact on the environment. This is the main reason we are seeing so many more heat pumps in Denver. A gas heater, however, relies solely on fossil fuels and contributes to your carbon footprint. While there are traditional water heaters that use electricity, you’ll miss out on the added benefits of HPWH’s we’re about to cover.
Performance And Reliability Considerations
Both heat pump and gas water heaters have their strengths and weaknesses. You might be tempted when you hear that gas water heaters typically can heat up faster and have a faster recovery rate, but most homes will find that the performance of a HPWH is more than enough. When you avoid gas products, you also protect yourself from their reliability and safety concerns. If you have installed a Tesla Powerwall 3 paired with a SPAN smart electric panel on your home, then you have all the energy you need to run your water heater in any situation. Conversely, with gas you are stuck with a limited resource dependent on local supply that can be extremely dangerous if your system were ever to malfunction.
Maintenance And Lifespan Differences
Given that a heat pump water heater doesn’t burn fuel, there is typically less wear and tear on components, meaning lower maintenance bills throughout the lifespan of your system. This also contributes to a longer operational lifetime, in tandem with all the added technology and research that goes into their development. According to Energy Star, traditional water heaters will last between 10 and 12 years, but HPWH’s last between 13 and 15. Energy efficiency and longer lifespan combine to make a product that might seem more expensive at first to be more affordable in the end.
We Offer the Best Appliances with Heat Pumps in Denver
In the debate between heat pump and gas water heaters, there is almost always a clear winner for the average homeowner. Whether you’re sold on reduced carbon emissions, added reliability, affordable maintenance, or increased lifespan, My Electric Home is right there with you. Not only will your water heater deliver these benefits, but you can get the same from your HVAC system as well.
To learn more about home electrification and what a heat pump water heater can do for your home, get in contact with us today.